This weekend I shared this post on my personal Facebook page and decided to post it here with some extended information, so that I have it on my blog as well.
6 years ago this Autoimmune Disease journey began. At the time, we couldn’t put a finger on what was causing my Iron Deficient Anemia but my hematologist didn’t think we needed to do any further tests… 2 years ago, my iron hit rock bottom for the 5th time since this infusion, I couldn’t keep any food in my system and would almost pass out every time I took a shower. God lead me to research causes and lead me to self-diagnosis myself with Celiac Disease (autoimmune disease #2). The next months that followed included 5 iron infusions, starting a gluten free diet, and an endoscopy to verify the Celiac Diagnosis. Then enter a SIBO (Small Intestine bacterial infection) and gaining 40lbs in 6 month because my body went into starvation mode and then the SIBO multiplied the problem. This took 6 months to heal with natural antibiotics thanks to my working with an amazing Naturopath Dr Emily with WildCraft Medicine and dietary changes but no matter what I did, the weight would not come off. Then this February, I was diagnosis with Insulin Resistant PCOS- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (Autoimmune Disease #3).
This is the face of Autoimmune Disease, this is the quiet struggle so many are facing without anyone knowing. The NIH estimates that 23.5 million American’s struggle with 1 or more autoimmune diseases. And according the the Celiac Foundation, 70% of people in America living with CD don’t even know they have it! It seems, considering the damage and the side effects I’ve experience since a child, that I’ve had CD for 30+ years and just found out 2 years ago. What is the cause of this? How is this not causing people to go crazy and make lifetime changes to their lifestyles and eating habits? Why are we not looking into this more and figuring out why we are the sickest nation in the world?
This week was HARD! The ugly cry that you can’t stop, the frustration and thought that you have to reign in a control. I never realized how whole body, mind, and spirit a diagnosis(es) could cause. The despair and depression that comes with having to cut entire food groups out of your diet forever have taken an emotional toll I didn’t see coming. The hormonal fluctuations that come from your gut being so damaged have been shocking and there are days that just hit you over the head. I’ll never be able to attend a party or dinner with friends without bring my own food or doing heavy research as to what I can eat where we are going. I have to ask 1000 questions of any host or waiter before I can eat or order.
I don’t share this to gain sympathy or pity but to 1. Ask for prayer. The last 2 years have been a hard journey through a deep valley and instead of seeing progress, we keep uncovering more pieces of the puzzle. It’s been defeating and frustrating. 2. to bring light to what so many are silently walking through. There is a lot of judgement in our world, God know’s I have done my fair share, but when you walk through something like this, you start to see the world through a different point of view and from a place of deeper compassion. My journey isn’t over. We still have many hurdles to climb and honestly I’m struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel but I have to remember that healing isn’t a race but a marathon. I’ve had a lot thrown at me in the last 2 years and it’s been weighty to walk through but God has been my comfort and strength and as much as I am tempted to wish I didn’t know all the things I do now, I know that it’s all for my good and to give me a longer, healthier life from here on out.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing what I am doing to keep my PCOS in control and trying to get my hormones in the right place. I have done a lot of research and self-discovery through elimination diets and while these have been hard, I see them as a journey to figure out how I can live. I’m also working on losing this extra weight so that I can help my hormones get back in order and I’ll be sharing more of that journey to come as well.
